Strategic Manager for SEND Commissioning & Assurance (Independent & Alternative Provision) HCC624945

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Assured EAP

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Hampshire County Council seeks a Strategic Manager for SEND Commissioning & Assurance (Independent & Alternative Provision) to lead commissioning, assurance and sufficiency across the county. You will work with partners in education, health and social care to secure high‑quality placements and value for money.

As a senior leader, you will drive market development, shape strategic priorities and develop sustainable solutions while managing a high‑performing team in a hybrid working model based in

Qualifications

• Experience in SEND commissioning, INMSS, independent schools, or alternative provision.
• Leadership of strategic and operational commissioning in complex settings.
• Strong commercial acumen with category management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop and deliver commissioning strategies.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement across multi‑agency partners.
• Strong leadership, people management and decision‑making abilities.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into delivery and impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end commissioning, contract management and quality assurance of independent and alternative SEND provision.
• Develop commissioning strategies to strengthen local provision and improve sufficiency.
• Collaborate with providers, procurement, finance, legal and other partners to shape services.
• Drive market development, supplier engagement and value-for-money.
• Provide strategic oversight of provider performance, governance and expenditure.
• Lead strategic projects and support a high‑performing team.

Skills

SEND commissioning

Strategic leadership

Commercial acumen

Category management

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder engagement

People leadership

Job description

Strategic Manager for SEND Commissioning & Assurance (Independent & Alternative Provision) HCC624945

Company: Hampshire County Council

Salary: £58,143 to £65,162 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Winchester, SO23 8UJ

Working pattern: Hybrid - 4 days remote

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 26 Oct 2026

Closing date: 10 Nov 2026

Summary

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, therefore the advert may close early.

As the Strategic Manager for SEND Commissioning & Assurance (Independent and Alternative Provision), you'll play a key role in shaping high-quality education provision for children and young people with SEND across Hampshire. Your leadership will help ensure children and young people can access the right support, in the right place, at the right time, while driving improvements that make a lasting difference to their lives and futures.

Working within the SEND Partnerships & Strategy Team, you'll provide strategic leadership across Hampshire for the commissioning, assurance and sufficiency of Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS), Independent Schools and Alternative Provision. Combining commercial expertise, commissioning knowledge and strategic leadership, you'll work with partners across education, health and social care to develop sustainable solutions, secure value for money and strengthen local provision to meet growing and changing needs.

What you'll do

• Lead the end-to-end commissioning, contract management and quality assurance of independent and alternative SEND provision, securing high-quality placements and positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Develop commissioning strategies and creative solutions that strengthen local provision, improve sufficiency and help ensure children and young people can access the right support at the right time.
• Work collaboratively with providers, operational services, procurement, finance, legal colleagues and wider partners to identify needs, shape services and deliver effective commissioning solutions.
• Drive market development, supplier engagement and commercial activity, increasing access to quality provision while securing best value for Hampshire County Council.
• Provide strategic oversight of provider performance, contractual compliance, quality assurance and expenditure, ensuring robust governance and continuous improvement.
• Lead strategic projects and service improvement initiatives in response to organisational priorities, SEND reforms and emerging service needs, while developing and supporting a high-performing team.

What we're looking for

• An experienced commissioner with a strong understanding of the SEND landscape, including Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools, Independent Schools and Alternative Provision.
• Significant experience of leading strategic and operational commissioning within a complex and evolving environment.
• Strong commercial acumen, supported by a sound understanding of category management and excellent negotiation skills.
• A proven ability to develop and deliver commissioning strategies that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience of building productive relationships across organisational boundaries and multi-agency partnerships.
• Strong leadership, people management, analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to translate strategic priorities into effective delivery.
• Make a meaningful impact by influencing SEND provision and improving outcomes for children and young people across Hampshire.
• Take on a high-profile strategic leadership role with the opportunity to shape future services, drive innovation and work alongside talented colleagues and partners.

Why join us?

• Make a meaningful impact by influencing SEND provision and improving outcomes for children and young people across Hampshire.
• Take on a high-profile strategic leadership role with the opportunity to shape future services, drive innovation and work alongside talented colleagues and partners.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Senior Category Manager, SEND Commissioning Manager, Strategic Commissioning Manager, Commissioning & Assurance Manager, Education Commissioning Manager, Strategic Commissioning Lead.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme